A Taste of the South - Atlanta, GA

Rosebud Restaurant - Just outside of ATL

We spent the weekend in Atlanta, GA a while back for a wedding for two of our close friends. Even though it rained the whole weekend, we were able to sample enough of Atlanta's neighborhoods, food, and inhabitants to decide that we love the DIRTY SOUTH.

Our first stop was vital to our enjoyment of the south. The first day we were in Atlanta, we piled into the car and drove towards downtown to eat a traditional southern breakfast at The Silver Skillet.

Silver Skillet breakfast is the best

Cheese and grits, biscuits, red eye gravy, and of course it's not breakfast without center-cut, fried pork chops and scrambled eggs. The Silver Skillet boasts a true southern vibe. The restaurant has been feeding friendly southerners since 1967 and remains in the trusting hands of the family that started it all. Everything we ordered was tasty and filling. Maybe it was the company, but it was honestly one of the best breakfasts I've ever had. Sometimes I find myself missing their biscuits... Yea, its that good!

Some of the best chocolate I've ever had

Instead of taking a much needed nap after our massive brunch, we piled back into the car and headed for the Virginia Highland neighborhood of Atlanta. Virginia Highland is home to Cacao Atlanta, one of the best, and purest chocolates I have ever tasted. Two notable and unique aspects of Cacao's business is their custom-made chocolate bark  and their uniquely hands-on approach to creating high quality chocolate. The custom-made chocolate bark speaks for itself, but the passion of hand selecting your beans, roasting the beans, crushing the nibs, and creating the chocolate bars and truffles in house is something I haven't ever seen before visiting Atlanta. You can taste the hard work and detail put into each artful creation. This neighborhood is an upscale and somewhat-artistic, boutique-like neighborhood with lush greenery and beautiful homes lining the streets. There were some decent shops and some bars and restaurants that looked excellent too. With our time crunch, we had to keep moving, but we will undoubtedly try those places next time we visit.  

Custom chocolate bark bar

From Virginia Highlands, we rode along to another unique neighborhood ITP (Inside The Perimeter- a term used by locals to define the border surrounding Atlanta) called Cabbagetown in search of a truly southern classic in the form of boiled legume. We were told to try the boiled peanuts (a culinary abomination for someone from the north) at The Earl, where their family recipe is considered "the best" by some friendly locals we met in Virginia Highlands. Although I did not love the taste of boiled peanuts, the bar itself is a fantastic dive bar. With cheap beer, a decent menu, and nightly live music, The Earl is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience Atlanta as the locals do (the locals who enjoy minimalist bars and live music).

While one day in a city cannot paint a vivid enough picture, our one day spent discovering Atlanta revealed a city of passionate, friendly people who eat well and enjoy living well. Atlanta is a place that I can see myself spending a lot of time in. I hope we can make it back soon. If we were able to have this much fun in one day...

The Earl in Cabbagetown

Boiled peanuts